Fairstone Group founder departs for new venture

The founder of a national wealth management firm has left the business.

Lee Hartley has stepped down as deputy chair of Sunderland-headquartered Fairstone Group.

The move comes as the former chief executive prepares to launch a separate venture capital endeavour later this year. 

He was replaced in the autumn by former Aldermore Bank group chief executive Steven Cooper, who the firm says is now supporting a blueprint to double assets under management to £40 billion by the end of 2030 and build on the company’s downstream buy-out programme.

Formed in 2008, Fairstone supports more than 125,000 clients and boasts annual revenues in excess of £175 million, with teams working from offices across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Praising Lee’s impact during his time at the helm, Fairstone chair David Hickey said: “He is the most impressive business founder I have ever worked with.

“The scale and continuing success of Fairstone is a lasting tribute to Lee’s abilities as a businessman and leader. 

“I have no doubt his new business in the venture capital sector will be equally successful in the years to come. 

“I would like to thank him for his enormous contribution to making Fairstone one of the largest and most trusted wealth managers in the UK and Ireland, and I wish him every success in the future.

“As a business, Fairstone continues to go from strength to strength. 

“We have an excellent chief executive in Steven Cooper, a highly experienced and motivated senior management team, and exciting plans for further expansion in 2026 and the years beyond.”

• Bdaily previously worked with Fairstone Group and Lee Hartley to create a white paper – titled Raising the Bar: A blueprint to supercharge North East growth – that sets out a list of objectives for the North East Combined Authority to maximise the potential of the region’s devolution deal. Click here to download the white paper.

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